The Luck of the Irish

Sunday, March 17 is St Patrick's Day, commonly known as St Paddy's Day. Saint Patrick is the patron saint and national apostle of Ireland and is credited with bringing Christianity to the country. St Patrick's Day has come to be associated with everything Irish: anything green and gold, shamrocks and luck. Most importantly, to those who celebrate its intended meaning, St. Patrick's Day is a traditional day for spiritual renewal and offering prayers for missionaries worldwide. In American cities with a large Irish population, St Patrick's Day is a very big deal. Big cities and small towns alike celebrate with parades, "wearing of the green," music and songs, Irish food and drink, and activities for kids such as crafts, colouring and games.

 (st-patricks-day.com)

Globally, the spirit of St Paddy has taken off and has become a day to drink, be merry and paint the town green and the Western Cape is no exception! Here are some of the activities taking place on St Paddy's:

• The Dubliner, Irish Restaurant and Pub or O' Driscoll’s Irish Pub & Restaurant would be the perfect place to celebrate with a Guinness and be part of the green and gold celebration of culture.
• 4Leaf Agency and Roodebloem Studios will be hosting an Irish themed party on Saturday, March 16. 
• Perseverance Tavern in Buitenkant Street, Cape Town will have an Irish themed day on Sunday.
• The V&A Waterfront will be hosting free events in the amphitheatre, spectators are encouraged to wear green, with prizes for the best dressed. Restaurants such as Quay Four, Ferryman's and Hildebrand with be hosting Irish Themes for the day with Guinness on tap.
• Durbanville Hills will also be adopting an Irish theme for the day as well as pubs and taverns such as The Toad in the Village in Noordhoek, The Royal Oak in Table View, Forrester Arms in Newlands, The Brazen Head in Stellenbosch and The Fox in Napier.
• The Wheel of Excellence at the Waterfront as well as Table Mountain will be shining green in honour of the Gaelic.